Dehydration- a summer problem – Part 1

• Dehydration in summers is the most common problem.
• In physiology and medicine, dehydration (hypohydration), a lot of body liquid is lost.
• In literal sense, it means the removal of water from an object.
• In dehydration, there is deficiency of fluid in an organism.
• Dehydration of skin and mucous membranes can be called medical dryness.

There are three types of dehydration
• Hypotonic or hyponatremic: It means loss of electrolytes especially in sodium.
• Hypertonic or hypernatremic: It means loss of water.
• Isotonic or isonatremic: It means equal loss of water and electrolytes.

How to prevent Dehydration?

– Water intake
• Dehydration is best avoided by drinking sufficient water.
• The greater the amount of water lost through perspiration, the more water must be consumed to replace it.
• Since the body cannot tolerate large deficits or excesses in total body water, consumption of water must be roughly concurrent with the loss.

Home Remedies for Dehydration

Dehydration treatment using Buttermilk
• Buttermilk is one of the most effective home remedies in the treatment of Dehydration.
• Buttermilk is the residual milk left after the fat has been removed from curd by churning.
• This helps to overcome harmful intestinal flora.
• The acid in the buttermilk also fights germs and bacteria.
• Buttermilk may be taken with a pinch of salt three or four times a day.
• This will help in controlling this disease.

Dehydration treatment using Carrot Soup
• Carrot soup is another effective home remedy for Dehydration.
• It supplies water to combat dehydration.
• It replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, and magnesium.
• It supplies pectin.
• It coats the intestine to allay inflammation.
• It also checks the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria.
• It prevents vomiting.
• Half a kilogram of carrots may be cooked in 150 ml of water until they become soft.
• The pulp should be strained and enough boiled water should be added to it to make a liter.
• Three-quarters of a tablespoon of salt may be added.
• This soup should be given in small amounts to the patient every half an hour.

Dehydration treatment using Fenugreek
• Fenugreek leaves are useful in treating Dehydration.
• One teaspoon of seeds which have been boiled and fried in butter should be taken with a cup of buttermilk.
• This should be administered twice daily.
• They are valuable in allaying biliousness.
• The seeds are also beneficial in the treatment of this disease.